=== VALLEY OF THE BANDICOOTS UPDATE #10 ===
Friday, May 2, 2003 (circulation: 87)
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'VALLEY OF THE BANDICOOTS UPDATE' is an occasional email newsletter for people who are interested in the 'Valley of the Bandicoots' project in Aldgate Valley, South Australia. To subscribe, send an email saying 'subscribe VOB UPDATE' (or 'unsubscribe') to David Mussared, mussared@emailmedia.com.au (phone: 8388-5608).
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CONTENTS:
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1. LOCAL YOUNG PEOPLE WANTED FOR PAID WORK ON BANDICOOT PROJECT
2. ED DOUGLAS ANNOUNCES HE WILL STAND DOWN AS LANDCARE CHAIR
3. COUNCIL AGREES TO PUT A TRAFFIC BARRIER ON BLACKWOOD LANE
4. TWO 'VALLEY OF THE BANDICOOTS' WORKING BEES THIS WEEKEND
5. SPECIAL FEATURE: COUNCIL ELECTIONS & THE FUTURE OF CAMBRIDGE ROAD
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1. LOCAL YOUNG PEOPLE WANTED FOR PAID WORK ON BANDICOOT PROJECT (people aged 17-20 required)
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The 'Valley of the Bandicoots' is eagerly awaiting an official announcement from the Federal Government to confirm that we have been selected for a major Green Corps project, which is due to start next month (June). In the meantime, Green Corps has been in touch with the Aldgate Valley Landcare Group, and has asked us to circulate the following advertisement, seeking applications from local young people to join its program. Green Corps says its first preference is always to choose local young people to work on projects in their own area.
If you know anyone (aged 17-20) who would be interested in being paid a training wage while doing important environmental work for the Valley of the Bandicoots, please pass this advert on (or respond as per below).
Here is Green Corps' advertisement:
Young Australians for the environment GET PAID WHILE TRAINING THE GREEN CORPS WAY.
Are you
- keen to make your mark on Australia's environment and heritage?
- wanting to meet other young people and work as part of a team?
- seeking accredited training?
- aged 17-20 and eligible to satisfy the Youth Allowance residence requirements?
- available and willing to participate in a 26 week program?
We require young people who
- are interested in the environment
- are not afraid to get into it and get their hands dirty
- are looking for a challenging and enjoyable opportunity
- are committed to a learning experience
- enjoy working as part of a team
So, what is Green Corps and how do I get in to it?
Green Corps offers young people an opportunity to receive quality training while participating in projects that contribute to environmental and cultural heritage development. As part of your training, you will gain experience through a number of activities in a range of locations.
GREEN CORPS IS NOW RECRUITING
To join this exciting program, please contact your local Green Corps office on 8209-5454, call 1800-077-700 or visit http://www.greencorps.facs.gov.au for further information. Applications close soon. Green Corps is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity. Green Corps is a Commonwealth Government initiative.
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2. ED DOUGLAS ANNOUNCES HE WILL STAND DOWN AS LANDCARE CHAIR (after two years & a huge contribution)
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After two years as Chair of the Aldgate Valley Landcare Group (AVLG), Ed Douglas has announced that he will stand down at the next Annual General Meeting, due in September, so he can spend more time on his interest in art photography.
Announcing his decision in an email on April 14, Ed said he intended to remain involved as a "working member of the AVLG" after September, but would resign as Chair. "It has been an honour to be the Chairman of the AVLG during this time of considerable achievement on the AV Reserve, and with David's development of the VOB under the umbrella of the established AVLG," he said.
"The future seems quite bright for the AV Reserve and for the VOB -for the natural preserve of our beautiful Aldgate Valley." "My intention from September is to continue as a working member of the AVLG and to extend my committment to my (mostly defunct) art practice - my photography. This has been the focus of my life for the last four decades or so and I want to give this opportunity the necessary attention - for better or for worse!," he said.
Ed's departure will leave a large gap in the AVLG ranks. He has been a champion for the Aldgate Valley Reserve since its inception, and has led a major transformation of the reserve and its vegetation. Ed has also been the main anchor of the AVLG during some very uncertain times - steering the group artfully through the administrative jungle, and confronting each challenge with his unique brand of wry, self-deprecating humour. Who could ever forget Ed's deadpan description of how he and Neville Fishlock caused a pine tree to levitate on the Aldgate Valley Reserve?
The honour has been ours, Ed.
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3. COUNCIL AGREES TO PUT A TRAFFIC BARRIER ON BLACKWOOD LANE (gate & signs to be installed in "next few weeks")
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The Adelaide Hills Council has agreed to install "a barrier on Blackwood Lane to deter through traffic", following discussions with residents and representatives of the Valley of the Bandicoots project. Blackwood Lane, a fire-track running between Dalton Avenue and Aldgate Valley Road, forms part of the Valley of the Bandicoots wildlife corridor.
Four weeks ago a Council work crew graded Blackwood Lane, and residents and the Valley of the Bandicoots management committee raised concerns that this would encourage more traffic to use it as a through road.
On April 29 the Council's Engineering and Operations Executive, Ian Binnie, wrote a letter to the Valley of the Bandicoots in response to the concerns, saying the Council would now install a barrier on Blackwood Lane to deter through traffic, as well as 'No Through Road' signs. "I am amenable to this suggestion, and will organise for a farm gate and necessary signage to be installed within the next few weeks," Mr Binnie said.
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4. TWO 'VALLEY OF THE BANDICOOTS' WORKING BEES THIS WEEKEND (Mylor: 1.30pm Saturday; Aldgate: 10am Sunday)
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There are two Working Bees scheduled within the 'Valley of the Bandicoots' area this weekend.
=> MYLOR PARKLANDS --------
When: 1.30-4.30pm, Saturday, May 3
Where: Tennis Courts, Lesley Creek
The Mylor Parklands Bushcare Group holds Working Bees once a month, usually on the first Saturday of the month, except for long weekends and holidays, with afternoon tea halfway. The Mylor Parklands is at the southern end of the Valley of the Bandicoots wildlife corridor.
Organiser Joslyn van der Moolen says this weekend participants should try and park near the Mylor Tennis Court Clubrooms, so they can concentrate on cutting and swabbing gorse and broom by the creek, and possibly also behind the tennis court.
CONTACT: Joslyn van der Moolen, 0439-472-921 (mobile) or 8391-7503 (work) or email: vandermoolen.joslyn@saugov.sa.gov.au
=> ALDGATE VALLEY RESERVE--------
When: 10am-12noon, Sunday, May 4
Where: Aldgate Valley Reserve (cnr Aldgate Valley & Shanks Road)
The Aldgate Valley Landcare Group holds Working Bees on the first Sunday and third Saturday of every month at the Aldgate Valley Reserve (the former Semaphore Scout Property), which is mid-way along the Valley of the Bandicoots wildlife corridor.
This Sunday we will probably be cutting and poison-swabbing weeds to protect new native plants (some of which are regenerating following previous weeding, and some of which we have planted).
Tools are supplied (you don't need to bring anything). Gloves and old clothes are advised. Newcomers are most welcome.
CONTACT: David Mussared, 8388-5608 (email: mussared@emailmedia.com.au )
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5. SPECIAL FEATURE: COUNCIL ELECTIONS & THE FUTURE OF CAMBRIDGE ROAD (where does your candidate stand?)
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On Wednesday (April 30) I sent an email to all those candidates standing for Adelaide Hills Council positions who have publicly available email addresses. My email asked each candidate to answer 'yes' or 'no' to this question:
"Do you support the closure of Cambridge Road to through vehicular traffic?".
My email also briefly described the 'Valley of the Bandicoots' project, explained why closing Cambridge Road to through traffic is important to our project, and thanked the Council for its support for VOB so far.
As most readers of this email know, the Council's decision last year to keep Cambridge Road open to vehicular traffic was a major disappointment to the 'Valley of the Bandicoot's project (Cambridge Road is the unmade road near Aldgate Primary School, which forms a critical part of the 'Valley of the Bandicoots' wildlife corridor).
Below I have listed each candidate's response to my question:
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MAYORAL CANDIDATES:
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Bill Cooksley: ----------
"I am of the view that the appropriate way to solve the problem of speeding and unacceptable driver behaviour on Cambridge Rd., Aldgate is for the Council to install a gate across the road. The gate would be able to be opened by emergency services personnel as necessary. There is precedent for this sort of action in other parts of the district. I am personally aware of a number and, as far as I can recall, there has not been any problem with the gates. In fact they have solved previously difficult situations. I am hopeful that the Adelaide Hills community will elect a council that is willing to do what is necessary to improve the general amenity of our local people. I think the trick will be to vote for people who see the role of Councillor as being a representative, an advocate for community views and someone who consults. The alternative is a view that once elected, he or she has the authority to make all the decisions without reference to local people. I very strongly subscribe to the former school of thought."
Sue Babi: ----------
"I'm in full agreement with your problem. I would do my best to go for it. I can see your argument, and I really cannot see anything against it."
(NOTE: Sue Babi made these comments to me in person, after meeting with Cherilyn Maley and me on site to inspect Cambridge Road earlier today - Friday, May 2).
Tim Potter:
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"I'm not against it and I'm not in favour. As a Mayor you can't become involved in a local issue such as that or you become prejudiced when it comes to the vote. I don't have any view at all, that would be entirely up to Council. All I'm there to do is to facilitate and chair the meeting. As a mayoral candidate I can't support either leaving it or closing it. The Mayor does not have a vote or a say in that matter."
(NOTE: Tim Potter made these comments to me by telephone, when I rang him to ensure we had the views of all three mayoral candidates. He said he had not received my earlier email).
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MANOAH WARD CANDIDATES
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Leone Taylor: ----------
Did not respond to my email.
Tony Wiedeman: ----------
"I would support your request, BUT in fairness to the other residents, I would need the following
- need a survey of the resident in the street, so that some are not disadvantaged (council cay do this as a matter of course during the process)
- need to check on the other interested parties and manage any issues they have eg - check the traffic flow & ensure it is ok after traffic closure
- allow easy other use (eg nature walks or bushfire access or what you/the local people want), so have the barriers/fences make sense
- check with the local CFS to have what they want (you could increase your strength if you already had that)
So I am positive, but we need to have these things talked through (could be easy) and then there is a good community outcome."
Tony Wiedeman later sent a second email: "For your info, I have just received a petition from the residents of the street requesting road closure - this ticks off another of the issues, and makes your case much stronger. Can you talk to the Aldgate CFS and get this advise that they don't oppose the closure (or a clause like fire access for 4x4 through locked gates)?"
Ron Nelson: ----------
Not contacted (no email address).
Andrew Murray: ----------
"You are aware of course that this issue has already been the subject of Council consideration. I understand that there has been a site visit but I was not able to attend and thus don't have a complete appreciation of what locals might have contributed at that time. I do not recall the issue of Bandicoots having been raised in the context of that issue but rather it was one of concern by locals about traffic flows generated by through travellers. In the interests of transparency I should state that I think I was not present when Council decided the issue. As a speculative proposition I would be sympathetic to consideration of closure or at least traffic restriction, where sound amenity, environmental or safety issues justified it. I would certainly encourage residents, particularly if there is considerable unanimity on the topic, to re-raise it with the new Council. I think that my consistent support for pro-environment initiatives over the 3 years I have been on Council should suggest my broad response to your question."
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MT LOFTY WARD CANDIDATES
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Kate Hosking: ----------
Not contacted (no email address).
John Kemp: ----------
Did not respond to my email.
Stan Evans: ----------
Not contacted (no email address).
Wayne Gibbings: ----------
Not contacted (no email address).
Sheila Evans: ----------
"Most certainly."
Howard F Coombe: ----------
Not contacted (no email address).
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MARBLE HILL WARD CANDIDATES
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Jan Loveday: ---------
"This question demands more than a quick answer but I can say in principle I would support moves that take positive steps to conserving wild life and even re-establishing environments. I am currently unaware of the context of your 'question' but would make a point of contacting you for more information should I be elected."
John Pfitzner: ----------
"It appears that a very good case can be made for the closure of Cambridge Road. However, I would have to look at the pros and cons in the light of better knowledge of the various issues."
Bill Spragg: ----------
"This is the first I have heard of the Valley of the Bandicoots wildlife corridor and I am sorry but until I have more information and have had an opportunity to explore alternative solutions I cannot answer your question either in the affirmative or negative. I assume from the tone of your email that recipients of the newsletter do not intend to vote until they have an opportunity to see candidate's response to your question. How are your readers supposed to judge those candidates who do not have email and will not have been asked to respond to the question?
I do care about our native fauna and am very concerned about the attitude that seems to exist in the community that native ecosystems are only about native vegetation and that means having a few gum trees on your property. I would support any moves to encourage maintenance or re-establishment of native habitats including trees and understorey and native fauna. Wildlife corridors are one aspect of this that Council needs to facilitate through changes to the Development Plan."
Ian Bailey: ----------
Did not respond to my email.
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TORRENS VALLEY WARD CANDIDATES
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Val Hall: ----------
Not contacted (no email address).
Jasemin Rose: ----------
"The closure sounds a good idea. From the information that has been made available to me I will say 'yes'."
Eileen Williams: ----------
Not contacted (no email address).
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ONKAPARINGA VALLEY WARD CANDIDATES
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Mal Wade: ----------
Not contacted (no email address).
Neville Collins: ----------
Not contacted (no email address).
Stan Camac: ----------
Not contacted (no email address).
Adrian Dormer: ----------
"Without a full knowledge of the situation (although I do know the road well), a qualified yes. An unconditional yes would require more
info."
Andrew Stratford: ----------
Not contacted (no email address).
David Paschke: ----------
Not contacted (no email address).
R.J. (Bill) Gale: ----------
Did not respond to my email.
Christine Venning: ----------
Not contacted (no email address).
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